US20060210388A1 - Method of manipulating and assembling automotive frame, chassis, and body - Google Patents
Method of manipulating and assembling automotive frame, chassis, and body Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060210388A1 US20060210388A1 US11/290,880 US29088005A US2006210388A1 US 20060210388 A1 US20060210388 A1 US 20060210388A1 US 29088005 A US29088005 A US 29088005A US 2006210388 A1 US2006210388 A1 US 2006210388A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- robots
- chassis
- station
- conveyor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
- B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
- B62D65/18—Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
- B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
- B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
- B62D65/04—Joining preassembled modular units composed of sub-units performing diverse functions, e.g. engine and bonnet
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, and more particularly to manipulating automotive frames, chassis, and bodies, and assembling chassis and bodies.
- chassis frame In the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, it is customary to install various parts onto a vehicle frame to produce a vehicle chassis, and then “marry” the vehicle chassis to a vehicle body.
- the vehicle frame is first inverted or turned “upside down” so that certain suspension components such as front and rear upper and lower control arms, and knuckles with hubs, can be installed on the frame.
- the frame is turned “right side up” so that further parts such as the power train, brake lines, wiring harnesses, and wheels can be installed on the frame, thereby forming the chassis (sometimes also referred to as “chassis frame”).
- One current technique of marrying chassis and bodies occurs with chassis and body moving on a conveyor.
- the body is conveyed overhead by a conveyor, and the chassis to be married to the body is supported by a moving lift machine that operates to move the chassis into position beneath the moving body while lifting the chassis into position for assembly with the body.
- Lift machines may employ different lift actuators to raise and lower the platform or support upon which the vehicle chassis is supported.
- a hydraulic cylinder can be used as the lift actuator.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,424 hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses the use of a push chain as the lift actuator.
- U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0007440 A1 also hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses the use of a spiral lift as the lift actuator.
- the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame having a longitudinal axis, a first generally upwardly directed side, and a second opposite generally downwardly directed side.
- the method comprises providing first and second robots, engaging a first end of the frame with the first robot, engaging a second end of the frame with the second robot, and rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed.
- the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame having a longitudinal axis, a first generally upwardly directed side, and a second opposite generally downwardly directed side.
- the method comprises providing first and second stations, providing first and second robots, positioning the frame at the first station, engaging a first end of the frame with the first robot, engaging a second end of the frame with the second robot, rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed, and translating the frame from the first station to the second station.
- the invention is a method of assembling an automotive vehicle chassis and body.
- the method comprises providing first and second stations, providing first and second robots, positioning the chassis at the first station, positioning the body at the second station, engaging a first end of the body with the first robot, engaging a second end of the body with the second robot, and translating the body from the second station to the first station and placing the body atop the chassis.
- the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame, installing components on the frame to form a chassis, and assembling the chassis to a body.
- the method comprises providing first, second, and third stations, providing first and second pairs of robots, positioning the frame at the first station, installing suspension components on the frame, engaging a first end and a second end of the frame with the first pair of robots, rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed, translating the frame from the first station to the second station, installing drive train components on the frame to form the chassis, positioning the body at the third station, engaging a first end and a second end of the body with the second pair of robots, and translating the body from the third station to the second station and placing the body atop the chassis.
- a robot pair can be located between the stations that the pair moves a respective frame, chassis, or body to and from.
- the frame, chassis, body, and assembled chassis and body can be conveyed via conveyors.
- One or more of the robots can be equipped with machine vision to facilitate engaging a respective one of the frame, chassis, and body, and placing the body atop the chassis.
- One or more of the conveyors can be equipped with encoders to facilitate engaging a respective one of the frame, chassis, and body, and placing the body atop the chassis.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an initial step in manipulating an automotive vehicle frame according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an intermediate step in manipulating the frame
- FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of a final step in manipulating the frame
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an initial step in assembling an automotive vehicle body and chassis
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of an intermediate step in assembling a body and chassis
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 of a final step in assembling a body and chassis.
- FIG. 1 there is illustrated an initial step in manipulating an automotive vehicle frame in order to install parts thereon to form the chassis, according to the present invention.
- frames 12 are supported upon a fixture 14 , which fixture 14 can be any of the following types: inverted power and free conveyor, skillet conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, overhead conveyor, electrified monorail system, stationary table, etc.
- Frame 12 can be initially positioned upon fixture 12 right side up.
- a second station 20 can be positioned adjacent to first station 10 generally parallel thereto, and can include a similar fixture 24 .
- a pair of robots 30 , 32 can be positioned between stations 10 and 20 .
- One of the robots 30 , 32 can have its own processor/controller and the other of the robots 30 , 32 can be slaved thereto. Or, each of the robots 30 , 32 can have its own processor/controller.
- One type of robot 30 , 32 which can be utilized to practice the invention is a KR-500 6-axis robot available from the assignee.
- the robots 30 , 32 can incorporate end of arm tools or grippers 34 , 36 , respectively, for engaging the opposite ends of a frame 12 .
- the robots 30 , 32 can incorporate machine vision to enable them to engage the frame 12 .
- the fixtures 14 , 24 (if conveyors) can incorporate encoders to enable the robots 30 , 32 to engage the frame 12 .
- the machine vision and/or encoders provide appropriate feedback to the processor/controller(s), and suitable software running on the processor/controller(s) permits coordinated or synchronous motion of the robots 30 , 32 .
- robots 30 , 32 engage the opposite ends of right side up frame 12 , raise frame 12 off of fixture 14 , rotate frame 12 approximately 180° about a longitudinal axis of frame 12 , and place frame 12 up side down on fixture 24 of station 20 . Suspension components, etc. are then installed on frame 12 . Then the process is reversed, with the robots 30 , 32 rotating frame 12 right side up and placing frame 12 back on station 10 . Then the power train, etc. is then installed on the frame 12 to complete the chassis.
- FIG. 4 there is illustrated an initial step in marrying or “decking” an automotive vehicle chassis 52 with an automotive vehicle body 42 according to the present invention.
- bodies 42 are supported upon a fixture 44 , which fixture 44 can be any of the following types: inverted power and free conveyor, skillet conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, overhead conveyor, electrified monorail system, stationary table, etc.
- a second station 50 can be positioned adjacent to first station 40 and generally parallel thereto, and can include a fixture 54 supporting chassis 52 which are oriented right side up.
- a pair of robots 60 , 62 can be positioned between stations 40 and 50 .
- One of the robots 60 , 62 can have its own processor/controller and the other of the robots 60 , 62 can be slaved thereto. Or, each of the robots 60 , 62 can have its own processor/controller.
- One type of robot 60 , 62 which can be utilized to practice the invention is a KR-500 6-axis robot available from the assignee.
- the robots 60 , 62 can incorporate end of arm tools or grippers 64 , 66 , respectively, for engaging the opposite ends of a body 42 .
- the robots 60 , 62 can incorporate machine vision to enable them to engage bodies 42 and place bodies 42 atop chassis 52 .
- the fixtures 44 , 54 can incorporate encoders to enable the robots 60 , 62 to engage the bodies 42 and place bodies 42 atop chassis 52 .
- the machine vision and/or encoders provide appropriate feedback to the processor/controller(s), and suitable software running on the processor/controller(s) permits coordinated or synchronous motion of the robots 60 , 62 .
- robots 60 , 62 engage the opposite ends of body 42 , raise body 42 off of fixture 44 , and place body 42 atop chassis 52 on fixture 54 of station 50 .
- the frames 12 , chassis 52 , and bodies 42 can be stationary or moving when engaged by the robots 30 , 32 or 60 , 62 .
- the chassis 52 and bodies 42 can be stationary or moving when the body 42 is placed atop the chassis 52 .
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, and more particularly to manipulating automotive frames, chassis, and bodies, and assembling chassis and bodies.
- In the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, it is customary to install various parts onto a vehicle frame to produce a vehicle chassis, and then “marry” the vehicle chassis to a vehicle body. The vehicle frame is first inverted or turned “upside down” so that certain suspension components such as front and rear upper and lower control arms, and knuckles with hubs, can be installed on the frame. Next the frame is turned “right side up” so that further parts such as the power train, brake lines, wiring harnesses, and wheels can be installed on the frame, thereby forming the chassis (sometimes also referred to as “chassis frame”).
- Currently vehicle frames are rotated either by a servo-controlled gantry (a type of crane), or by a manually operated chain hoist.
- It is desirable to eliminate the need for such gantries or hoists in the manipulation of vehicle frames.
- One current technique of marrying chassis and bodies occurs with chassis and body moving on a conveyor. The body is conveyed overhead by a conveyor, and the chassis to be married to the body is supported by a moving lift machine that operates to move the chassis into position beneath the moving body while lifting the chassis into position for assembly with the body. Lift machines may employ different lift actuators to raise and lower the platform or support upon which the vehicle chassis is supported. For example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used as the lift actuator. U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,424, hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses the use of a push chain as the lift actuator. And, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0007440 A1, also hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses the use of a spiral lift as the lift actuator.
- It is desirable to eliminate the need for such lift machines in the marrying of automotive chassis and bodies.
- In one aspect, the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame having a longitudinal axis, a first generally upwardly directed side, and a second opposite generally downwardly directed side. The method comprises providing first and second robots, engaging a first end of the frame with the first robot, engaging a second end of the frame with the second robot, and rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed.
- In another aspect, the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame having a longitudinal axis, a first generally upwardly directed side, and a second opposite generally downwardly directed side. The method comprises providing first and second stations, providing first and second robots, positioning the frame at the first station, engaging a first end of the frame with the first robot, engaging a second end of the frame with the second robot, rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed, and translating the frame from the first station to the second station.
- In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of assembling an automotive vehicle chassis and body. The method comprises providing first and second stations, providing first and second robots, positioning the chassis at the first station, positioning the body at the second station, engaging a first end of the body with the first robot, engaging a second end of the body with the second robot, and translating the body from the second station to the first station and placing the body atop the chassis.
- In still another aspect, the invention is a method of manipulating an automotive vehicle frame, installing components on the frame to form a chassis, and assembling the chassis to a body. The method comprises providing first, second, and third stations, providing first and second pairs of robots, positioning the frame at the first station, installing suspension components on the frame, engaging a first end and a second end of the frame with the first pair of robots, rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis such that the second side is generally upwardly directed and the first side is generally downwardly directed, translating the frame from the first station to the second station, installing drive train components on the frame to form the chassis, positioning the body at the third station, engaging a first end and a second end of the body with the second pair of robots, and translating the body from the third station to the second station and placing the body atop the chassis.
- A robot pair can be located between the stations that the pair moves a respective frame, chassis, or body to and from. The frame, chassis, body, and assembled chassis and body can be conveyed via conveyors. One or more of the robots can be equipped with machine vision to facilitate engaging a respective one of the frame, chassis, and body, and placing the body atop the chassis. One or more of the conveyors can be equipped with encoders to facilitate engaging a respective one of the frame, chassis, and body, and placing the body atop the chassis.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an initial step in manipulating an automotive vehicle frame according to the present invention, -
FIG. 2 is a view similar toFIG. 1 of an intermediate step in manipulating the frame, -
FIG. 3 is a view similar toFIGS. 1 and 2 of a final step in manipulating the frame, -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an initial step in assembling an automotive vehicle body and chassis, -
FIG. 5 is a view similar toFIG. 4 of an intermediate step in assembling a body and chassis, and -
FIG. 6 is a view similar toFIGS. 4 and 5 of a final step in assembling a body and chassis. - Referring first to
FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an initial step in manipulating an automotive vehicle frame in order to install parts thereon to form the chassis, according to the present invention. At afirst station 10,frames 12 are supported upon afixture 14, whichfixture 14 can be any of the following types: inverted power and free conveyor, skillet conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, overhead conveyor, electrified monorail system, stationary table, etc.Frame 12 can be initially positioned uponfixture 12 right side up. A second station 20 can be positioned adjacent tofirst station 10 generally parallel thereto, and can include asimilar fixture 24. A pair ofrobots stations 10 and 20. One of therobots robots robots robot robots grippers frame 12. Therobots frame 12. In the alternative, or in addition thereto, thefixtures 14, 24 (if conveyors) can incorporate encoders to enable therobots frame 12. The machine vision and/or encoders provide appropriate feedback to the processor/controller(s), and suitable software running on the processor/controller(s) permits coordinated or synchronous motion of therobots - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-3 ,robots frame 12, raiseframe 12 off offixture 14, rotateframe 12 approximately 180° about a longitudinal axis offrame 12, and placeframe 12 up side down onfixture 24 of station 20. Suspension components, etc. are then installed onframe 12. Then the process is reversed, with therobots frame 12 right side up and placingframe 12 back onstation 10. Then the power train, etc. is then installed on theframe 12 to complete the chassis. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , there is illustrated an initial step in marrying or “decking” anautomotive vehicle chassis 52 with anautomotive vehicle body 42 according to the present invention. At afirst station 40,bodies 42 are supported upon afixture 44, whichfixture 44 can be any of the following types: inverted power and free conveyor, skillet conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, overhead conveyor, electrified monorail system, stationary table, etc. Asecond station 50 can be positioned adjacent tofirst station 40 and generally parallel thereto, and can include afixture 54 supportingchassis 52 which are oriented right side up. A pair ofrobots stations robots robots robots robot robots grippers body 42. Therobots bodies 42 andplace bodies 42 atopchassis 52. In the alternative, or in addition thereto, thefixtures 44, 54 (if conveyors) can incorporate encoders to enable therobots bodies 42 andplace bodies 42 atopchassis 52. The machine vision and/or encoders provide appropriate feedback to the processor/controller(s), and suitable software running on the processor/controller(s) permits coordinated or synchronous motion of therobots - Referring now to
FIGS. 4-6 ,robots body 42, raisebody 42 off offixture 44, andplace body 42 atopchassis 52 onfixture 54 ofstation 50. - The
frames 12,chassis 52, andbodies 42 can be stationary or moving when engaged by therobots chassis 52 andbodies 42 can be stationary or moving when thebody 42 is placed atop thechassis 52. - Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present invention which will result in an improved method of manipulating and assembling automotive vehicle frames, chassis, and bodies, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (35)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/290,880 US20060210388A1 (en) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-11-30 | Method of manipulating and assembling automotive frame, chassis, and body |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US63211704P | 2004-12-01 | 2004-12-01 | |
US11/290,880 US20060210388A1 (en) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-11-30 | Method of manipulating and assembling automotive frame, chassis, and body |
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US20060210388A1 true US20060210388A1 (en) | 2006-09-21 |
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US11/290,880 Abandoned US20060210388A1 (en) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-11-30 | Method of manipulating and assembling automotive frame, chassis, and body |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104589014A (en) * | 2013-10-30 | 2015-05-06 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | Vehicle frame turnover system and method |
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US20080251351A1 (en) * | 2007-04-11 | 2008-10-16 | Powers James G | Robotic frame handling system |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN104589014A (en) * | 2013-10-30 | 2015-05-06 | 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 | Vehicle frame turnover system and method |
US9517895B2 (en) | 2013-10-30 | 2016-12-13 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Vehicle frame turnover system and method |
DE102014115559B4 (en) | 2013-10-30 | 2022-04-28 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC (n. d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware) | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INVERTING A VEHICLE FRAME |
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Owner name: KUKA FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS CORP., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GIAIER, ROBERT;NAPIOR, MICHAEL;ZIESEL, DETLEV;REEL/FRAME:017531/0822 Effective date: 20060326 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KUKA SYSTEMS CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA, MICHIGAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:KUKA FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:023616/0821 Effective date: 20071121 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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